The document summarizes an exhibition created by a Kindergarten class about family history. The students explored artifacts from the past and present to understand how things have changed over time. They created "treasure boxes" to imagine artifacts of the future. Various teachers took on roles like set design, costumes, music, and documentation to create immersive experiences connecting the past, present and future. The exhibition allowed students to share their understanding of family history.

1. “Past, Present, Future Exhibition”
–Kindergarten graduating class of 2019

2. “This unit was a gateway for learning to make connections. Children learned
about how people played in the past and how toys and games have evolved
over time. They played many of these games in class and discussed how to
solve problems and conflicts through these games. While exploring toys from
the past, we realized that most of these old-fashioned toys and puzzles
require genuine human interaction, use of hand-eye coordination and strong
analytical skills; something that is missing in some modern toys.
We used a Venn Diagram to organise games and toys into categories of those
that were played in the past, those that are played in the present and those
that are common to both the past and the present. Finally, we identified the
skills we can learn from all of these games and toys. This was a very
meaningful unit for the children as we were able to tie in aspects from PSPE
into the unit of inquiry. The experiences from this unit will undoubtedly form
a strong basis of knowledge and understanding about play from which the
children can build on and deepen in the future. ”
– Ms. Dana Iu, EY Coordinator, Music & PSPE Specialist

3. “In art class, we thought about our families and considered how every family
member is very important and closely related. We also learned the vocabulary for
different family members and drew our own family trees. Through doing so, we
could visualise how different family members are connected to one another and
developed an understanding that a family is like a big tree, upon which each leaf,
each branch, and each root are all about love. We also focused on how items of
daily use have changed and developed over time. We looked closely at the old
artefacts that we had brought from our own homes and described their
appearance, colours, and functions. Then, we thought about what these objects
had become in their present-day form and why. Finally, we imagined what the
objects might be like in the future. In the process of thinking, students came to
understand that changes in items of daily use represent changes in people's
living standards as well as humanity’s ability to create and innovate. Students
recorded their ideas in a series of artworks that tracked a single artefact and
how it has changed over time. Through their work, we can see that the children
are full of curiosity about the future and also have many ideas about how it
might look. ”
– Ms. Sunny Xu, Prep Art Teacher

4. “Just like language, science and maths, music plays an important role in a
child’s development. It has many benefits and one of them is helping the
body and the mind to work together. That is why in Prep, we expose our
students to music and provide them with ample opportunities to
experience music as they sing, move, listen, dance, and play musical
instruments. In this unit about family history, our students listened to
different genres from classical to modern music which helped them to
define change and make connections between past, present and future.
Our students naturally enjoy and respond to music. When we see our
students take part in music and movement activities, we see them as
natural learners having fun, developing and refining their skills, while being
confident and creative. As the person in charge of music for this
exhibition, I am truly grateful for the experience as I was able to share my
passion with the students and teachers. It is truly an honour to have
worked with such an amazing group who shares the same belief that life
without music is boring. ”
– Twilite Basquil, Prep Earth Homeroom Teacher

5. “Family history is a profound topic for children and even adults. The children
in Prep will show you their understanding of family history in this exhibition.
Our documentation panels will help you understand the children’s
knowledge, understanding and thinking. In the process of collecting
artefacts, I was amazed with the knowledge that the children have regarding
their family history. They were able to share many meaningful stories about
their parents and grandparents. Hearing them introduce their artefacts and
treasure boxes and express their understanding of the past, the present and
the future, I believe that you too will be surprised. Perhaps the children do
not yet have a full understanding of the concepts yet, however, I am sure
that in the future when the they open up their treasure boxes, the children
will be moved when they read the letters their parents have written for them.
As an educator, it has been an honour for me to be a part of this exhibition
as a documentarian, recording and helping to express the children's learning
journey from their family's past to its future.”
– Ms. Doris Cen, Prep Earth Homeroom Teacher

6. “Being in charge of organising fashion from the past has definitely been
an eye-opener for me. Receiving various garments and accessories from
so many families has made me appreciate the word FASHION. It isn’t just
about clothing and jewelry; it is also about the way one carries it, right
from being a baby until old age. We received a range of beautiful and
interesting items, including a wedding gown, a sari, a hand-painted pair of
jeans and hand-knitted baby booties. I have learned to appreciate the
idea that each special item has its own story. The smell of each garment
compels us to be curious and eager to find out what its life might have
been. Observing the students’ interest in the old clothing’s smells made us
realise the power of smell in invoking wonder and memories. Inspired by
this, our team decided to add in scents to the different sections of our
exhibition. We included incense sticks and scented oils to create the
ambience and to take our visitors on a journey from the past to the future.
We used smell as our time machine.
– Mrs Priya (Jenny) Mahtani, Prep Jupiter Homeroom Teacher

7. “It was a great honor to fulfil the role as one the curators of the Prep Family History
Museum. As curators, our mission was to be passionate about the focus of our
museum, hence we endeavored to make the learning fun and enjoyable for the
children in this unit. Inspired by our PYP Coordinator, Mrs. Manju Nair, we shared
our general ideas with each other about how our museum should look. We worked
together as a team, making decisions about the different roles teachers would play
and in monitoring documentation. We decided to divide the museum into three
different time zones – the past, the present, and the future. In each of these zones,
colour schemes, lighting, artwork, and scents were all collaboratively decided upon.
Since this unit was about family history, parents were highly involved throughout the
process. It became a learning process for them as well, and they were equally
enthusiastic about building this exhibition as we were. Student agency was observed
in the children as they independently chose their own family artefact to present.
The museum has provided the opportunity for children to showcase their family
history to their classmates and the school community and they have successfully
accomplished this with confidence. ”
– Ms. Sophie Li (Li Jing), Prep Jupiter Homeroom Teacher

8. “A curator (Latin: cura, meaning "to take care") is a manager or an overseer. At first, this
role seemed like a new challenge to take on and learn from, but it ended up being much
more than that. In my role as a curator for this exhibition, I have been responsible for
assembling, cataloguing, managing and displaying artistic and cultural family history
artefacts and making connections in how these items have changed over time. Hence,
curating the Prep Exhibition was mainly about presenting the students’ understanding
of these concepts through the lens of their own family history, while keeping in mind
setting, ambience, music, tone, feel, lighting, and scent. Performing this role has helped
me to understand the connection between these elements and how their cohesion is
important in creating a successful museum. This museum also showcases the students’
voice, choice and ownership. All of the artefacts were chosen by students. They used
their voice and thinking skills while asking questions about the artefacts to their family,
and they took ownership by being curious and researching further into the history of
their artefacts. This journey has deepened our understanding of the importance of
family history and how it helps in shaping us to be ‘Who We Are’ and understanding
‘Where We Are in Place and Time’.”
– Ms. Abigail Fernandes, Prep Sun Homeroom Teacher

9. “This unit of inquiry was a great experience for the students in which they were able
to build knowledge and understanding of their own family history. The inquiry
process allowed students to develop an understanding of the concept of time – the
past, the present and the future. They built an understanding of the past through
investigating artefacts from their family history, and developed a sense about the
future by making their own treasure boxes. The creation of the treasure boxes
paved the way for a lot of parent involvement and collaboration between students,
parents and teachers. There was a sense of respect towards the choices made by
the children. As the unit progressed, we as teachers reflected on our own teaching
practices and observed how the students improved in their understanding. My role
in the exhibition included organizing the exhibition spaces as well as being the point
of contact between the administration staff and the Prep team. I also took great joy
in collating a slideshow for all Prep classes that documented the students’
experience of creating their treasure boxes, including photos and student
comments. Through the experience of working with the Prep team in planning this
exhibition, I came to understand the importance of working well as a team towards a
shared goal.”
– Summer Zhang, Prep Sun Homeroom Teacher

10. “Documentation is an art form that can take decades for a teacher to
master. While I believe that I am only at the beginning of this learning
journey, I am grateful that I have had the opportunity learn more about it
by performing the role of documentarian for this exhibition. Throughout
this unit of inquiry, we have documented the children’s learning through
photos, videos, and by recording the children’s words as they spoke.
While it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, for me the most
important aspect of documentation is in hearing and recording the words
of the children. For it is through their words that we can come to know the
children - who they are and what is important to them, their thoughts and
their feelings. So in order to become a master of documentation, a
teacher must first build a culture of trust and an environment of sharing,
so that the children have the confidence and are willing to share their
ideas. And finally, most important of all, we must LISTEN. Today, as you
explore our museum, my greatest hope is that you will hear the voices of
the children.”
– Ms. Rebecca Hardman, Prep Stars Homeroom Teacher

11. “As this was my first time to be put in charge of setting up an exhibition, it
was a good opportunity for me to learn something new. The Prep team
had a lot of meetings to decide how to make full use of the Admin Building
exhibition space. After much discussion, we came to the conclusion that
we would use the space between the four pillars to display artefacts from
the past and present. In the past section of the museum, we decided to
use brown, wooden tables to bring about a feeling of that past.
Additionally, we decided to incorporate the use of essential oils to help
remind people of an older time. Then, to illustrate a more modern time in
the present section of the museum, we decided to use colourful tables
and to diffuse a scent that smells more current. Luckily, there was a
separate room in which we could express the future. We chose not to put
up any signs like “The Past” or “The Present” as we really wanted to
encourage parents and museums visitors to explore freely and to draw
their own conclusions. Finally, we believed that our students would be
very capable museum guides.”
–Gary Hua, Prep Stars Homeroom Teacher

12. “The Preparatory class students undertook an inquiry into personal
histories, the central idea of the unit being “ People Understand their
family history through exploring evidence of the past”. The ‘evidence’
here is family artefacts, heirlooms, and other items of value. This proved
to be an excellent opportunity for young students to understand what
things their individual families treasured and what stories these treasures
unearthed.
In conceptualising and putting the exhibition of their learning together,
the teachers reveal the learning and curatorial process as much as have
the displays speak for themselves. Honouring the children, their personal
histories and their family experiences, has also allowed for them to
project into their own future and consider what artefacts they might value
then.”
– Mrs. Manju Nair PYP Coordinator.

13. CREDITS
策展⼈员
EXHIBITORS 展览者- Preparatory class students ⼤班学⽣
CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS 材料贡献者
- Preparatory parents ⼤班家⻓
SET DESIGN 布景设计- Mr. Gary Hua
MEDIA 多媒体 - Ms. Summer Zhang
PERIOD COSTUMES & FRAGRANCE 服装和⾹氛 -
Mrs. Priya Mahtani

14. TOYS & GAMES 玩具和游戏- Ms. Dana Iu
BACKGROUND MUSIC 背景⾳乐- Ms. Twilite Basquil
DOCUMENTATION & EDITING ⽂档梳理编辑
- Ms. Doris Cen & Ms. Rebecca Hardman
PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT 教学⽀持- Mrs. Manju Nair
CURATORS EXTRORDINARE 特别组织者
- Ms. Abigail Fernandes & Ms. Sophie Li